Developing an Outbreak Management Plan for Aged Care Facilities

A/Prof Noleen Bennett1

1Victorian Healthcare Associated Infection Surveillance System Coordinating Centre and National Centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship

In aged care homes infection outbreaks are frequently reported and the consequences can be severe, even of pathogens as common as noroviruses. To minimise the number of people (resident, staff and visitors) affected and the harm that can be done by infection outbreaks, it is important aged care homes are ready at all times to respond to an outbreak should it occur.

This presentation will primarily summarise national level guidance for developing an infection outbreak management plan. An overarching framework that highlights critical elements (infection prevention and control, human resources, communications, access, care and service, and ending an outbreak) will be presented. Key practical actions for infection control procedures, screening, monitoring and testing, isolating and cohorting staff and residents, personal protective equipment, cleaning and waste management will be outlined.


Biography:

Associate Professor Noleen Bennett is an Infection Control Consultant employed at both the Victorian Healthcare Associated Infection Surveillance System Coordinating Centre and National Centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship, both located at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity.

She coordinates both the Victorian Aged Care Infection Indicator program and Aged Care National Antimicrobial Prescribing Survey. For the last 18 months she has been seconded to assist the Victorian State Government with the preparation for and management of COVID-19 outbreaks in Victorian aged care homes.

Date

Nov 08 2021
Expired!

Time

12:25 pm - 12:45 pm

Local Time

  • Timezone: America/New_York
  • Date: Nov 07 2021
  • Time: 8:25 pm - 8:45 pm